Use these explanations to interpret calculator output and public recipe profiles. They do not replace ingredient specifications, supplier documentation, lye safety procedures, or legal/compliance review.
Superfat
Superfat is the portion of oils intentionally left unsaponified. It can make a formula feel milder, but it also affects lather, cure, shelf life, and the risk of excess oil in the finished product.
Lye concentration
Lye concentration describes how much of the lye solution is alkali versus liquid. Higher concentration means less liquid, faster setup, and less water to evaporate; lower concentration gives more working time but can extend cure.
Liquid : lye ratio
Liquid-to-lye ratio is another way to express the same liquid decision. A 2.4:1 ratio means 2.4 parts liquid for every 1 part lye. Saponora stores an effective ratio so formulas can be filtered and compared.
Bubbly, cleansing, conditioning, hardness, longevity, cream
These quality metrics are estimates derived from the fatty acid profile of the oil phase. They are useful for comparison, not guarantees of finished soap behavior.
Iodine and INS
Iodine estimates unsaturation and oxidation tendency. INS combines SAP and iodine into a broad formulation signal. Both are directional checks and should not override testing.
Fatty acids
Lauric and myristic tend to increase cleansing and bubbly lather. Palmitic and stearic support hardness and longevity. Oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and ricinoleic influence conditioning, solubility, and lather feel.